The Coolamon RSL Sub‑Branch advises members that no meeting will be held in May, with all outstanding business to be carried forward to the June meeting. The June agenda will include a full wash‑up of this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations. Members also noted several items of general business for upcoming discussion, including future dates and venues for the Veterans and Partners Coffee & Chat gatherings, as well as planning for the Sub‑Branch’s Mid‑Year Lunch. The next meeting of the Coolamon RSL Sub‑Branch will take place on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, at the Coolamon Sport & Recreation Club, commencing at 7pm. *** News from the May Meeting of Coolamon Shire Council: • At the May meeting of Coolamon Shire Council, retiring Executive Manager Engineering & Technical Services Mr Tony Kelly was farewelled with a Mayoral Minute, the Mayor noting his 26 years of exceptional service to the Shire. Mr Kelly was recognised for his leadership across Works, Engineering and Parks, his deep technical expertise and the strong reputation he helped build for well‑managed infrastructure. Councillors praised his steady guidance, high standards and commitment to ensuring every community received quality services. Council also welcomed Mr Matt Stubbs as the incoming Executive Manager, wishing him well as he continues this important work. • Council received the Quarterly Budget Review Statement for the period ending 31 March 2026, noting several shifts in income and expenditure across key service areas. User‑fee income was down by $415,464, largely due to reduced occupancy at Coolamon Caravan Park, staffing‑related limits at the Early Learning Centre and a decline in Allawah Community Care clients. Operating grants were $197,989 higher than expected, boosted by additional Roads to Recovery funding. On the expenditure side, employee costs showed a favourable variance of $139,611 due to vacancies, while materials and contracts rose by $103,229, driven by agency staffing and increased catering and water costs. Capital spending was also higher, reflecting additional fleet replacements and extra costs at the Coolamon Showground Exhibition Building. Council noted an overall cash variation of $981,089 and adopted the recommended budget adjustments. It also received the Delivery Program Progress Report for July to December 2025, confirming ongoing progress across Council’s priority projects and services. • Coolamon Shire Council has endorsed a proposal from the Regional Banking Investment Alliance calling for a community service obligation to protect face‑to‑face banking in rural areas. The plan would require major banks to share the cost of maintaining regional branches, an issue long felt locally following the withdrawal of the big four banks and recent service pressures on Beyond Bank. Beyond Bank is a signatory to the proposal, which Council says offers a practical path to fairer access to essential banking services. • Coolamon Shire Council has completed a comprehensive review of its three public pools, receiving 156 survey responses from residents across Ardlethan, Coolamon and Ganmain. The results show strong community appreciation for the facilities, with 80% rating the pools as good or excellent and many praising staff and overall service. Council says the feedback confirms the important social and recreational role the pools play, while also highlighting areas for improvement, including accessibility, cleanliness and long‑term planning. The review also underscored the need to balance community expectations with the financial realities of operating multiple pools, which Council continues to subsidise. Council will now investigate options to improve disability access and strengthen maintenance oversight, ensuring the pools remain welcoming, safe and well‑used community assets. *** Entries have officially opened for the 2026 Up2Date Art Exhibition, one of the Riverina’s most recognised annual arts events. The exhibition, now entering its 22nd year, will return to the historic Up‑to‑Date Store precinct in Coolamon as part of the wider Yield Festival program. Organisers have confirmed that the 2026 theme is “Reimagined”, inviting artists to explore bold reinterpretations of ideas, forms and perspectives. In a significant development for the event, a new Sculpture category has been added to the prize lineup, joining the Open Art Prize, Themed Section, Veterans Prize, High School and Primary School sections, People’s Choice Award, and the Coolamon Shire Council Acquisition Prize. Artists have until Monday 10 August 2026 to submit their entries, although the committee has noted that entries may close earlier if submissions exceed 350 artworks — a threshold reached in previous years as the exhibition continues to grow in popularity. The Up2Date Art Exhibition typically attracts around 350 artists and draws approximately 3,000 visitors to Coolamon each year, contributing both culturally and economically to the region. All proceeds support local public schools in Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong and Marrar. The 2026 exhibition will run from 29 August to 13 September, with Opening Night scheduled for Friday 28 August. *** News from the Coolamon Shire Library this week includes: Storytime 2026 The next Storytime will be held on Friday 5th June at 10.30am theme “Colour and Shapes”. New families are most welcome to attend. National Simultaneous Storytime During this week the Library will be celebrating National Simultaneous Storytime. The year’s book is called “Luna Roo- the kangaroo Baller” written by Adam Jackson. Several schools and preschools will be visiting the Library. Community Recycling Station The Library has a recycling station for your household wastes. Items that can be dropped into the Library are Fluoro Globes, Mobile Phones and accessories, Smoke detectors and Household batteries. Lego Club Lego Club will be held each Wednesday from 4.00pm – 5.00pm. Then on Saturdays, at 10.30am. all ages welcome. The aim of the Lego Club program is for children to have fun, learn to communicate with others and to develop problem-solving skills. NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge The Library is again involved in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge for 2026. The Library has a wide variety of books for children to make their selections. Phone the Library for further details – 69272492. The Coolamon Library is on Facebook. News, pictures, events and opportunities are regularly uploaded – join us now. From Our Past From our Past again returns to the pages of Coolamon’s local newspaper, ‘The Coolamon-Ganmain Farmers Review’ to look back at the stories making news in the Coolamon district during this week in 1926. This week a report from the United States of America concerning the successes of a local girl introduced readers to a typically American past time. Tennis finals and attempts to reform the Rugby league Club in Coolamon was also making news, this week, one hundred years ago. *** ‘…The tennis tournament, conducted by the Coolamon Lawn Tennis Club, was brought to a most successful conclusion, except for the men's singles, last Sunday. Some exceptionally fine tennis was seen. Perhaps the best game was the semi-final, between Miss Marie Clarke and Mrs. Whiteman. Mrs. Whiteman finally winning 7-5. Mrs. Whiteman then won from Miss D. Richard, 7-3, in the final. Whiteman and Mrs. Whiteman had an easy victory in the mixed doubles against L. G. Cameron and Miss Clarke, 9-2. E. Way and Coberoft are to play the final of the men's doubles, and this should provide some excellent tennis. *** Rugby football is again having a hard try to get going in Coolamon and at a meeting called last Thursday some 35 Rugby enthusiasts attended, most of whom will be active members. Judging by those present a very heavy and likely team should be fielded. Many of the public will welcome the return of the old Rugby code. *** Last Friday evening, at the home of Mr. W. A. Iverach, the occasion being Mr. Horace Iverach's twenty-first birthday, some sixty of Coolamon's younger set assembled at Mr. W. A. Iverach's invitation. The evening was most enjoyable, dancing, wireless, and ping pong being most popular. A sumptuous repast was provided, and at the end Mr. M. L. Kingdon, who occupied the chair, called on Dr. Buchanan to propose the toast of Mr. Horace Iverach, and in so doing spoke in the highest teams of Mr. lverach and said he had known him since he was a child. Messrs. J. K. Stinson, N. Freeland, and D. Cooper proposed the toast. Mr. J. Cooper proposed the toast of Mr. W. A. Iverach, who duly responded. Dancing was indulged in till the early hours of the morning. *** The Coolamon Golf Club sent a team to Ganmain to try conclusions with Ganmain on their new links, and a most enjoyable day was spent. The new links, although a. little rough yet, were most interesting, and a close and exciting match resulted. The Ganmain men won by one match, but the Coolamon associates won by two matches, which brings Coolamon out as winners. *** On Monday night, a most enjoyable social evening was held in Johnstone's winter garden, in aid of the Presbyterian Church. There were euchre, musical items and dancing. The euchre was won by Mrs. F. Page and Mr. N. Mutton, who tied with Mr. J. K. Stinson, but was successful in the cut. Miss Ritchie delighted everybody with ''Tosti's Good Bye," and again moved that she is the possessor of a beautiful voice. Mr. M. L. Kingdon recited, and Mrs. Finley also sang. A most dainty supper was handed round by the church ladies, which again proved that Coolamon ladies are great cooks. Dancing was continued into the early hours. *** There were two cases before the Fair Rents Court, held at Coolamon last Thursday. In the first case the rent was raised 7/ a week and in the other, it was reduced 5/. *** Mabel Coates, the 13 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Coates, formerly resident of Coolamon, has attained fame in America by winning the county spelling championship at the Courier Auditorium, Ottumwa, Iowa. This success entitles Miss Coates to compete at Des Moines against the champions from other counties. The State titlist will then be sent to Washington, D.C., with all expenses paid. So further successes may be in store for the young Coolamon native. *** Many people do not know that wireless broadcasting and receiving has been so perfected that it is possible to have concerts in your own home every night. These concepts can be received from any broadcasting station in Australia. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane can be heard at full loudspeaker strength with remarkable clearness. The latest wireless from abroad, market reports and general news can be received during the day or night sessions. There are also bedtime stories after tea for children every night, as well as general information and the best of musical items, as well as lectures on important subjects. Wireless would be an ideal form of amusement for you on winter nights and wet days. Messrs. Osborne and Iverach will give you a demonstration at your own home or at the Central Garage with pleasure, using the very latest in wireless sets.…’
